ENVIRONMENTAL PERCEPTIONS AND SOCIAL-RELATIONS IN THE MAPIMI BIOSPHERE RESERVE

Biosphere reserves were developed in part to integrate conservation wi th regional development objectives and thereby to include protected ar eas within the resource management of inhabited areas. The Mapimi Bios phere Reserve of Durango, Mexico, provides an example of the difficult ies confronted by protected-area managers in implementing the biospher e reserve concept, especially when groups with vested interests in the site perceive the same environment differently. The reserve supports a long-term research program on the ecology of the Chihuahuan Desert a nd has succeeded in protecting an endangered species of tortoise with the cooperation of the local residents. However, coexisting forms of l and tenure and resource management, including extensive cattle grazing , prevent complete protection of the core zone, and the gap between ba sic and applied research has hindered the reserve's managers and resea rchers from developing their good public relations into a plan for reg ional conservation.